Moda Mindanao Season 12: Demi-couture, Fashion in the Age of Technology

August 23, 2017

Moda Mindanao is all about Mindanao pride, creativity, intricate artistry and exceptional demonstration of sublime material culture. WEV is so delighted to be on the front row (Thank you, Jesse for the invitation) and to have witnessed this long-running fashion design competition in Southern Philippines as it staged its 12th season final runway presentation held at SM Lanang Premier on Aug. 20.

Eleven young designers presented their unpublished and original creations each with its own contemporary interpretation and amalgamation of Mindanao textile, patterns, materials and culture.

Moda Mindanao is supported by SM Supermalls as it aligns with their campaign, Festive Mindanao. This design competition is a significant fashion component that focuses on local culture and fashion with Mindanao SM malls as venues for cultural and artistic convergence.

“Today, Moda Mindanao, the longest-running fashion design competition in Southern Philippines continues to celebrate contemporary interpretations of Mindanao culture and artistry. It is fuelled by the passion of young fashion designers and SM Supermalls support in promoting innovation and artistry in fashion in the south,” said Russel Alaba, SM Supermalls AVP for marketing in Mindanao.

Moda Mindanao 12th season focus on the theme, “Demi-couture: Fashion in the Age of Technology.” This subject intend to bring Mindanao’s fashion to a whole new level by utilizing technology to promote, conserve, preserve and develop fashion artistry and aesthetics in Mindanao.

For me, Mindanao fashion is not just relevant in Mindanao anymore. With the growing number of talented designers southern Philippines has produced it is just a matter of time, Mindanao designers are going to hit it big, not just in Manila but globally as well. Mindanao has the richest elements when it comes to textile patterns, details, colours, overwhelming source of indigenous materials and diverse cultural inspiration. These plethora of resources are just waiting for the next brilliant minds and artistic hands to create exceptional pieces for the world to see.

She earned her Masters in Applied Social Research at Ateneo de Davao University. She's a hard-core pluralist, an eternal optimist, a 40ish realist and a frustrated florist. She’s a mother, a teacher, a dreamer and who knows one day a potter.